Chapter 6: Meet Your Maker

This night would be something that Anna would never forget; the screams, the blood dripping onto the floor, the night's cool air against her skin. It was the start of both the biggest mystery of her life but also her nightmares.

Anna stood in the freezing winter air. The snow falling all around her. Elsa's footsteps raced away from the house. Her brain couldn't understand what had just happened – what she had just seen. Standing there, frozen – both literally and figuratively, trying to process everything. Her parents – dead. Her sister – blood dripping down her mouth. The floor – covered in blood. It was all too much.

"Elsa!" she finally managed to call out but her voice was lost on the cold winter's air. "Elsa!" she called out – louder this time – but to no avail. There was nothing but the howling wind's response.

That was when she finally managed to collapse onto the ground, letting it all wash over her. She was now alone…all alone. Tears dripped down onto the stone steps washing away the snow. Her fingers curled up into fists. Anger finally started to set in. Anger at the situation. Anger at her sister. Anger at her parents.

So, this was what everyone was hiding. The thought had been lingering in the back of her mind for a while now – why the engagements had broken, why Elsa no longer saw anyone, why her parents deflected so much. It wasn't supposed to be this though. It was supposed to be something simple…not this! Her sister was…her sister was…. She couldn't even bear to think the word let alone say it out loud. All that was in her mind was two fangs drinking blood from their parents.

Anna summoned up every ounce of strength she had and called out one last time.

"Elsa!" the word echoed around the area but nothing came of it.

Anna sank into the snow, accepting defeat.

"Anna?" a familiar warm voice had come up from her. "It's freezing out here! What are you doing without your coat?"

"It's Elsa," Anna sobbed. "She's gone."

"Gone?" Kristoff's kind face came into view in front of her. "What do you mean gone?"

Anna didn't know how to tell him. How would you even start on something like this? It all seemed so crazy and unreal. It was like something out of a novel or a rambling of a madman but it was all true and that was the craziest thing of it all. It was all true.

"Let's get you inside," it was easy to follow Kristoff's direction. Her whole body didn't seem to register anything but his touch. Kristoff took her into the living room and placed her down on the comfiest armchair he knew. After wrapping a blanket around her and getting Kai – who had awoken when he heard people moving about – to bring her a mug of hot chocolate, did Kristoff speak again.

"Anna?" Kristoff's voice was low and calm and seemed to put her at ease. "What happened?"

"Elsa…is…a demon…." That was all she got out before she dissolved into more tears.

Kristoff looked both shocked and confused. "A…demon?"

"She…killed…. our parents…." It took every ounce of strength she had to say those words. To say those words meant that they were really dead – that it was all true. What she had witnessed her sister doing had transpired. She didn't want to believe it but the image of her sister bent over her parents was seared into her brain. It was going to haunt her for the rest of her life.

When Anna had said those four words, Kristoff dropped his mug of hot chocolate where it smashed across the carpet and allowed the drink to soak into it. He didn't even seem to register this had happened. His eyes were staring into his friend's cyan ones. His mouth was agape and there was disbelief etched into every aspect of his face.

"How…?" that was all he managed to muster.

How indeed? How was Anna going to tell him the truth? The words seemed impossible to come out. What she had witnessed was something that should never be witnessed. It was beyond this world.

"Anna?" Kristoff prompted her again when several long minutes had gone by with no response from her.

"This is going to sound crazy but it's the truth," Anna's eyes were fixed on her half-drunk mug of hot chocolate rather than her friend. It seemed easier to say this to her mug rather than an actual human being. "I find it hard to comprehend myself." Anna took a deep breath in, trying to will the words to come out. "I found Elsa…. standing over my parents' bodies…there was blood everywhere."

It seemed easy to continue to tell Kristoff. He had the aura that you could tell him anything and it would be alright. Somehow just being around him made things easier – lighter; as if she could tell him anything in the entire world.

"Did she have a gun or…or… a knife?" Kristoff asked.
"Worse," Anna simply stated.

"What could be worse?!"

There was a pause before Anna spoke again.

"She had fangs."

"Fangs?" Kristoff repeated. "As in…?" Anna nodded. Kristoff ran his fingers through his hair. "Are you telling me that…"

"Yes," Anna nodded again. "Blood was dripping down her mouth. It was like nothing I had ever seen before and I never want to."

Kristoff didn't respond to this. It was like he didn't know how A long harsh silence took over between the two friends as this information finally managed to sink in. A demon of the night – the stuff of legends, the nightmares in children's minds – was all true. Elsa had become one.

It explained everything – why she hated to come out during the day, her miraculous recovery from near death, why she didn't want to see anyone ever. She had been hiding herself away from the world as if she knew what a danger she was. That attack in the alley – that must have been what caused all of this. That was another demon who had transformed her sister into the horrible creature she was now. There was no other explanation for it.

Suddenly a new resolution took over her body. She didn't know where the strength came from but it was abruptly there.

"I am going to look for her," Anna said firmly.

"You can't!" Kristoff shrieked. "She's dangerous Anna! If she had decided to attack you-"

"But she didn't!" Anna fired back. "I don't think she is! I think we are missing a key element of tonight's events! Besides, she is my sister! She will never hurt me!"

When Kristoff spoke, it wasn't harsh or demanding. It was soft and hopeful.

"I hope for your sake, you're right."

Only time will tell it seemed.

"You must swear that this stays between us!" Anna said to him. "What has transpired here tonight, only the two of us can ever know the truth of what happened. No one – not Kai, not Gerda, not even Jack!"
"Anna is that wise-"

"Promise me, Kristoff! Please!"

There were tears in her eyes as she stared up at her friend.

"I promise Anna."

Elsa hurried through the snow, away from Arendelle at top speed. Being a Vampire did have its perks; it had given her extraordinary speed. Within minutes, she was miles away. Anna's screams could be heard from their home. It took every ounce of willpower she had not to turn around to go back. The night's events were pounding in her head. Only when she was a safe distance away did she allow herself to break down and cry. Everything seemed to have gone so fast. Her parents had deemed her dangerous. Maybe she was. She had killed that man in the forest without a second thought and now her parents were added to that body count.

Tears poured out of her eyes and pounded hard against the snow. All control had been lost and her parents had paid the price. She couldn't go back – she could never go back. If she hurt Anna or even Jack…she shook herself mentally. She couldn't think like that. They would be safer now that she was gone.

Elsa picked herself off the ground. It was time to move on from Arendelle and find a new life for herself, away from everyone she knew.

"My child, it hurts me to see you like this," a voice whipped around with the wind.

Elsa got to her feet and spun around, trying to find the source of the voice.

"Who's there?" she shouted back. "Show yourself!"

A tall figure came into a view. It was a woman who didn't look much older than her. A red hooded cloak hid her long raven coloured hair that fluttered in the wind. Piecing scarlet eyes that matched her own were staring at her.

"My child," the woman said. "Does she not recognise her maker?"

Elsa was suddenly struck by a memory; a demon leaping at her in an alleyway.

"You!" she shouted. "You are the monster that did this to me!"

"My dear," the woman wagged her finger at her. "Is that how one addresses their mother? You were reborn thanks to me, given powers that only one can dream of!"

"You made me into a monster and you want praise?" Elsa snarled at her. "You destroyed my life!"

"Destroyed…one might say I enhanced it," the woman chuckled. "Come my child, let me show you the ways of our people."

"Like hell I will," Elsa snapped at her. "I'll ask again, who are you?"

"They call me Carmilla," the woman said, with an air of mystery around her. "Now come my child, I have a whole world to show you. Do not resist. This is your calling."

"You…made…me…into…a…monster," Elsa said through gritted teeth, her fingers clenching into fists. Anger flared throughout her body. Never had she felt such a rage. This was the thing responsible for the night's events – for everything. "You will pay!"

Elsa launched herself at the woman, her fangs bared. Carmilla easily dodged the attack with a simple sidestep.

"Temper, temper," she tutted. "Then again, it is quite common for a Newborn."

"A what?" Elsa snapped at her.

"A Newborn – that's you – a newly created Vampire," Carmilla answered as if they were in school and Elsa had raised her hand to ask a question. "Then you get your everyday Vampire – most of them are not even worth talking to anyway, after them you get your wonderful Death Dealers – they are quite fun to hang out with and see in action, then there are the higher-ranking Vampires – like yours truly," Carmilla did a small bow here, "after that is the Vampire Council and then our glorious leader."

"There is a Vampire Council?" Elsa was dumbstruck.

Vampires were actually organised to form a council? That must mean there were more of them out there…more of her out there.

"Oh, my child," Carmilla placed her hand over her heart. "You have so much to learn my love," she extended her hand. "If you come with me, I can teach you everything I know and show you the way and maybe even help you form a Coven one day."

For one spilt second, Elsa considered it. After all, this was her new life and this Vampire was her only link to forming some kind of life in it. Then everything that had happened came crashing around her. The harsh reality of what this thing did to her came crashing down. A sneer came over Elsa's mouth.

"You made me into a monster," Elsa snarled. "If I followed you, what other horrors will I subject myself to?"

"My child, you are making a mistake."

"I think it's the best decision I ever made actually."

Carmilla did not like this. A scowl replaced the friendly warm smile that she had been giving off.

"My child-"

"Stop calling me that!" Elsa screamed at her. "I am not your child! My real mother is dead thanks to you!"

Carmilla sneered. "Well, if you won't see sense-"

"I am seeing sense," Elsa bared her fangs once again, "and I think it's time for you to own up for what you did. You didn't mean to Turn me. You just wanted a second snack! That's all I ever was! Your desert!"

"Now see here-"

Elsa didn't even bother to let Carmilla finish her sentence. Anger was pounding through her once again. It was time to take her revenge. She pounced but this time Carmilla didn't have time to dodge it. Elsa had been too quick for her to even have a chance to react. The force of Elsa's jump pushed Carmilla to the ground where she sank into the snow. Elsa leaned over her, her fangs wide and ready to attack.

"If this is how you want to play," Carmilla scorned, her own fangs were showing now.

Carmilla pushed Elsa off her and Elsa went flying – literally. Her body slammed into a nearby tree and the tree fell down with a massive crunching noise. Elsa got swiftly to her feet. The blow had barely left a mark; another perk of being a Vampire. Elsa let out a hissing voice as she glared at her opponent. All of Carmilla's friendliness had evaporated as she advanced on her target.

"Give up girl," hissed Carmilla, her fangs exposed. "You are no match for me."

All that Elsa could feel was her rage. She didn't even care that she was greatly outmatched or that Carmilla was obviously right. All that she wanted was her revenge for taking her life away from her. Elsa pounced on her foe but Carmilla grabbed her and extended her fangs before plunging them into the depths of Elsa's neck. A howl of pain escaped Elsa as blood squirted out of her neck. A Vampire still had blood despite being the undead. Claws were rammed into Elsa's chest causing more screams of pain to be heard.

Carmilla dropped Elsa on the soft-laden snow which was starting to turn scarlet. She loomed over her prey; an evil smirk could be seen. Elsa couldn't speak. All that she could do is gargle up some blood. The pain was all that she could feel, the world seemed to be slipping in and out of focus. It almost seemed poetic. The monster responsible for taking her life once is doing it again.

"Now," she said in a low harsh voice, "if you somehow survive this, which I doubt," she sneered at Elsa when she uttered these words, "and you decide you wish to be of service to me – your creator – come find me Romania. Just follow the screams, my dear."

Carmilla let out a cold, cruel laugh before launching herself into the night. Elsa could only watch as she could feel what little life she had left drain out of her. Was this how it was all going to end? Well, she deserved it after what happened back in Arendelle. She had taken not one, not two but three lives. A fourth one is not what she wanted, so maybe it was for the best that she was being taken out of this world.

The world started to shift in and out of focus. Blackness threatened to engulf her. Let it, she thought, she even willed it. It was time for it to end. However, fate looked like it had other plans for her.

A shadowy figure loomed over her before she passed out completely.

Jack woke up the next day to find the castle in utter chaos. When the day had started, he had gone up to the castle with the determination that he was going to speak to Elsa. She had been avoiding him for too long. He needed to know what suddenly made her change her mind about them; why she didn't ask to see him, why they couldn't be together or even get married. That was something he had been wanting for so long, Elsa had been slightly hesitant on it herself based on what her father and mother would think. However, what actually was going to transpire was something he wasn't prepared for – who was?

When he entered the grand foyer, there were people running around it; servants, family members, and even the police had shown up. What was going on? Why were there policemen and why did everyone have a look like the worst thing that could ever happen had just happened? Jack found a very distressed Anna talking to one of the policemen looking extremely distraught. A solemn-looking Kristoff was standing next to her, one hand on her shoulder while she leaned into him. Something was very wrong; Jack knew it instantly when he saw her.

"Thank you, Miss Winters," the policemen said. "You have been extremely helpful. We'll be in touch with any future developments."

The policemen put away his notepad before giving a polite nod to the two people that were in front of him. Jack gave all three of them a confused stare before he watched the police leave the castle.

"Anyone going to clue me on what happened?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Anna and Kristoff exchanged glances. It seemed like they hiding something big. Jack didn't say anything further but instead stared with his eyebrow still raised. Eventually, the silence was broken by Anna.

"An incident happened last night," she finally said.

"What kind of incident?" Jack's eyes narrowed.

Not living in the castle, himself, he would have missed any and all commotions that would have occurred over the night. The word incident combined with the look on Anna's face created an anxious feeling that was soon settling in his stomach. What could have befallen the Winters' family last night? The knot in his stomach twisted tighter and tighter as Anna and Kristoff stayed silent.

"Please," he said in a low desperate voice.

"My parents were murdered last night," Anna said, tears falling down her face.

"What?" Jack's heart started to beat faster and faster. His hands started to shake and beads of sweat came running down his face. Murdered? That seemed impossible but the look on Anna's face told him that it was all true. "Where's Elsa? Does she know about this?"

Jack wildly looked around for a familiar blonde head but he didn't see her at all. Surely, she would be here somewhere.

"She's not here," Kristoff said, in a matter-of-fact tone.

"What do you mean 'not here'?" Jack thundered at his friend. The words echoed around his brain. What did that mean? "She needs to be here!" A sudden thought flashed through his mind. There could be another reason for why Elsa wasn't here. "Don't tell me that she…that she…" he couldn't finish the sentence. The words got lost in his throat.

"She wasn't killed, don't worry," Anna said as if she knew exactly what Jack was thinking. "She's…gone," Anna said finishing on an empty silence. It looked like it cost her everything to say that.

Jack's eyes widen and his mouth fell open. "What on earth does that mean Anna?"

"The murderers took her," Kristoff stepped in as it seemed impossible for Anna to continue speaking. All words seemed lost from her. "Anna witnessed them taking her from here."

"What?" Jack started to panic. "Why would they take her? What could they possibly want with her?"

His mind started to go through all the horrible possibilities – each worse than the last.

"We don't know," Kristoff said, with a sideways glance at Anna. "There was no note – nothing. The police aren't exactly hopeful we will get any correspondence from them."

"We have to be out there looking for her!" Jack exclaimed. "They can't have gone too far with that snowstorm last night!"

"No!" Anna's shriek came from nowhere. Both Kristoff and Jack looked at her in confusion. "What I mean is – leave that to the professionals. We don't know where they could have gone. They have better resources."

Jack shook his head. "I don't believe it. Your sister is missing and you want to sit around and do nothing?" Jack practically shouted the last part which got a few people looking over in his direction but he didn't care. The love of his life – his best friend in the entire world – was missing and all her family wanted to do was sit around and pretend nothing had happened.

"It's not that we don't want to do anything!" Anna suddenly got angry – probably just as angry as him. "You don't think in a second I would be out there straight away if I had any inkling of where she is? The slightest whisper and I would be out there – rain, wind, snow, or lightning! We just don't have a clue! You can't go search blindfolded!"

Jack shook his head in disbelief again. "I don't care. You guys can do whatever you want but I am going out there."

Jack turned on his heels and walked out of the castle while Anna kept calling his name. His feet soon took him back to the little cottage which he shared with his mother and sister. The cottage was situated not too far from the castle. It was barely a ten-minute walk to the house. It had come in quite in handy when Jack was sneaking home and didn't want to be caught after spending nights with Elsa.

Both of his family members were home and were grouped around the kitchen table sipping on tea. They both acknowledged him when he entered but he ignored them. Instead, he went straight up to his room and packed a small bag of essential things he would need. Racing out of his room, he found his way barred by his mother and sister.

"Where are you off to?" his mother eyed the bag with a curious expression.

"Elsa is gone and I am going to look for her," Jack said, very matter-of-factly.

"What?" thundered both his sister and mother together.

Speaking quickly, he explained what had happened up at the castle. When he had finished, both of his family members were looking at him with shocked expressions all over their faces. Both his sister and mother looked distraught at the news. Neither one of them had any idea on what they should say or do. It took several seconds for them to even be able to speak. The news was still registering in Jack's own brain. It almost felt unreal – like he was going to wake up tomorrow and it was all a dream.

"Murdered?" his mother managed to croak out. "Poor Agdar, poor Iduna! What monster would do this?"

"I don't know," Jack said, sounding very determined, hoisting his bag more tightly around his shoulder, "but I intend to find out."

"Jack," his mother's voice adopted a kind manner, "I know you and Elsa are…close," she laid the word out very delicately as if she was aware of her son's night-time activities, "but maybe leave it to the police? I mean this could be dangerous! You don't know what's out there!"

"I don't care!" Jack stated. He knew it was going to be dangerous. He knew that there could be a good chance he could end up getting hurt or worse but he had to try for Elsa. "I have to find her mum; I just have to."

His mother gave him a disheartening look but she had resigned herself to accept that her son was going to do this with or without approval.

"I can't stop you but please be careful!" she placed a hand on his cheek and gave him a warm smile. "I love you Jack, please look after yourself."

"I will!" Jack gave her and his sister both a quick kiss on the cheek before saying goodbye.

The door to their cottage shut behind him as he set off for the road that led out of Arendelle. I am coming Elsa, he said as he looked ahead, I will find you, mark my words, I will find you, no matter what.

A/N: Sorry for the delay in updates! Please enjoy!